Richland Community College and Decatur Memorial Foundation Partner to Create More Diverse Healthcare Workforce

Richland Community College, with a $3.2 million grant from the Decatur Memorial Foundation, is expanding their nursing programs by creating EnRich Healthcare.

Statistics from a Mercer Healthcare Labor Market Analysis in 2021 show that between now and 2026, 169,000 healthcare positions are projected to go unfilled. The goal with this partnership is to grow enrollment in nursing and clinical programs by seventy-five percent, and ensure that open positions in the Decatur area will be filled by a well-educated, diverse workforce.

Since the program was launch this spring, 150 students are enrolled in the EnRich Healthcare program. 77% of the participants are minorities and 88% come from a low socio-economic status. The program provides resources to these students, so they can surpass financial barriers and achieve their career goals.

“A lot of our students are facing barriers before they walk in the doors,” Rebekah Zúñiga, Director of the EnRich Healthcare Program, said. “It’s so important for them to know they don’t have to worry about financial debt; they don’t have to worry about books, scrubs, and even a stethoscope. These are all things that our program covers.”

Through the EnRich Healthcare Program, Richland is moving individuals through a pathway to include non-credit and credited programs resulting in academic certificates and associate degrees in Nursing, Radiologic Technology and Surgical Technology. Students will be given the opportunity to work and learn on Decatur Memorial Hospital’s (DMH) campus with the ability to become DMH employees upon completion.

Utilizing a unique and successful philosophy of Trauma Informed/Resilience Focused curriculum combined with the technical health sciences training, Richland will continue to evolve and to serve industry while changing lives.

When asked how it feels to lead this program, Zúñiga said she is humbled. “I know both sides. I know the side of working at the hospital as a registered nurse. I understand that disparity firsthand. So being able to impact that next workforce that comes into healthcare makes me proud.”

Richland’s president, Cris Valdez, said this program will be revolutionary for the Decatur community. “Through providing these resources and connections for students, we are building a more diverse healthcare workforce in our area. We have already seen incredible results in the short six months we’ve been working with DMH. It becomes clearer each day that this program will not only impact the students enrolled today; it will create a lasting influence for years to come.”

About Richland Community College Richland Community College has proudly and successfully served the citizens of district 537 through a strong mix of workforce, technical and transfer education for the past 50 years. Our dedicated staff provides diverse and meaningful support services to make every student’s experience both personal and rewarding. (www.richland.edu)